GEICO Alumni Showcase: Matt Parrish
Courtesy Campbell Athletics Communications
Matt Parrish, a 2016 graduate of Campbell University and four-year member of the Campbell baseball program, is now a second-year medical student at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
Parrish joined the Fighting Camels as a walk-on in 2013 and went on to become a three-time Academic All-American and two-time All-Big South honoree. He was also named the recipient of the prestigious Senior CLASS Award, given to the nation's top senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
A native of McGee's Crossroads, N.C., Parrish graduated from Campbell with a bachelor's of science degree in mathematics and minors in general science and psychology.
What does Campbell baseball mean to you?
Campbell Baseball is a sense of pride. It is a family and brotherhood that will last a lifetime. Campbell Baseball gave me an opportunity to play college baseball. It opened doors for me, made lasting friendships, and helped to shape me into the man I am today. When I think of Campbell Baseball, I think of a program that I know was built the right way. It was built through blood, sweat, and tears. I only hope that the traditions of sacrifice, dedication, and commitment have endured and will continue to do so. I take pride in knowing I was a part of a program that is more than just baseball. It is a program that develops men to go into the world and make changes. For that, I will be forever thankful.
How did your time as a student-athlete at Campbell prepare you for your career and life after college?
Throughout my time at Campbell, I made sure to always challenge myself both academically and athletically. Going from having only five at-bats my freshman year to being a starter in the South Carolina Regional the following year, I constantly had to work at my craft. When you have a bad day or make a mistake, you have to find a way to move on and learn from that mistake. That is one thing I took away from Campbell, particularly on the diamond.
As players, we were challenged to get better each day and build on the legacy left before us. I had the opportunity to play with some really special guys that are some of my best friends to this day. Campbell baseball is a brotherhood that will last forever.
Additionally, balancing classwork, practice, and life is difficult, but it no doubt helped prepare me for the rigors of medical school and most recently marriage. The disciple and work ethic that it took to succeed on and off the field at Campbell, has paid and is still paying dividends now. I apply those same principles that I developed while at Campbell each and every day. Coach [Greg] Goff always said All-Americans aren't made on the field, they are made when no one is looking, after practice, putting the extra work in.
At Campbell, I was surrounded by coaches and teammates that genuinely believed in me and each other. Coach Goff, coach [Justin] Haire and coach [Andrew] Carter are a few of my coaches that had a tremendous impact on me. I still use quotes and one-liners that they told the team when I need motivation or a reminder.
What originally attracted you to attend Campbell as a student-athlete?
Without a doubt the ability to play college baseball. Out of high school, I received hardly any attention on the recruiting front. Coach Goff and coach Haire were upfront and told me I had a spot to walk-on. I believed in what they stood for. Campbell is the one place that gave me a chance. This wasn't just a chance to play though; it was a chance to strive for excellence, to thrive on the field and in the classroom, and a chance to earn a starting spot and eventually a scholarship.
What are some of the most memorable moments from your time as a student-athlete at Campbell?
There are so many good memories! I will never forget what it felt like to go 49-10 and not get a regional birth. While not a good memory in itself, it made the next year mean so much more.
Winning the conference tournament and playing in the South Carolina Regional was awesome! Being honored as Mr. Campbell in 2016 was humbling. It was an honor to be selected Academic All-America three times and winning the national Senior CLASS award.
My freshman year, we walked off on Liberty two straight nights, which was pretty fun.
This is a "had to be there" memory, but one day at practice we were doing a 27-out scrimmage. That practice was probably the worst practice we had ever had. I think the highest out total we got to was 15 outs. We ran and ran and we messed up more and more! We ended up doing the 27-out scrimmage for over an hour and a half. It wasn't funny then, but it sure is now.
For me, every opportunity I got to put on the Black and Orange, whether a game, practice or weights, is a wonderful memory.
Describe your career path.
I am currently a second-year medical student at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. I have two and a half more years of school. I plan to pursue a surgical specialty, so that adds anywhere from five to seven additional years of training after I graduate medical school. I am really drawn to orthopedics and trauma. I would love the opportunity to one day teach at the medical school level. Being in a team environment, such as medicine, parallels with my love for baseball and sports.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
It is difficult to say right now. I am still early in my professional career and development. I would say either getting into medical school or once I got in, being selected as a Medical Education & Teaching Distinction Tract Scholar.
What was the most important thing you learned while you were at Campbell?
You never know when your opportunity will arise; however, you can always be ready for it. What I mean by this is that you are an injury away from being a starter. You are one exam away from being on the Dean's List. Be ready when your name is called because it might be the only time it is called.
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